Dutch Lift Online Gambling Ban

The Netherlands is the newest European market to recognise the value of a regulated online gambling industry. The government recently approved a plan to regulate and licence gaming companies including online lottery, sports betting, poker and bingo.

Beyond Holland Casino

At present, the government-owned Holland Casino is the only company providing internet gambling services to Dutch players.

However, the prohibition against foreign companies was recently eased by the new coalition government which sees the economic value and potential revenue flowing from a regulated market. This represents a massive change in the country's policy as it had resisted falling in line with the approach adopted by other European nations for many years.

Pro Gambling Lobby

In fact the Dutch government's policy on online gambling had been challenged by a number of well-known operators who wished to enter the market. This included Ladbrokes and Betfair who took the government unsuccessfully to the European Union Court of Justice.

Whilst the government may have determined the new way forward when it comes to online gaming, for the time being, however, Dutch banks have been instructed to begin blocking financial transactions between players and online gaming operators.

Nevertheless this is welcome news for online players in the Netherlands who will no longer have to resort to sites that were considered illegal by their government.

More updates at the localized Online Casino Reports Netherlands.